How to Decide Where to Buy Printing - Newsletter

Color Copies

From $.12 each

Postcards

From $.06 each

NCR Forms

From $.28 each

Black & White Printing

From $.0225 each

Terry Doland, Owner

How to Decide Where to Buy Printing

Once upon a time there were relatively few places that a business, organization or individual could go to buy printing. General commercial printers, as we were known back then, had large, noisy printing presses best suited to areas zoned for manufacturing and away from retail centers.

Technology changed that in the 1970s when small, clean presses and photo direct plate makers gave birth to the quick print segment of the printing industry. Quick printers could operate in a 2000 square foot retail storefront, readily visible from the street.

Another shift in technology added copiers, then digital output devices that eliminated the need for chemicals to process press plates and run the presses. Now printing could be done in an environment less like a factory and more like an office.

Digital technology also enabled printers to expand their offerings beyond offset printing to include high speed digital printing (color and black and white), large format graphics, posters, banners, signs and even mailing services - a complete range of services needed by businesses and organizations to communicate, market and sell.

Q and A: Why has the price of full color printing come down so dramatically?

Two factors have combined to bring the price of full color printing within the reach of almost everyone. The first is more efficient prepress production methods such as printing from PDF files rather than from files in the software application that was used to create the document. Since PDF files "lock down" the layout, font choices and images used in the document, we spend much less time reviewing how the document is constructed and checking to be sure it will print on our equipment as you intend.

Vocabulary: Printing

AAs: an abbreviation for author's alterations. Refers to changes made after a print ready file has been submitted. Printers charge for making AAs.

Basis weight: the weight in pounds of one ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to a given standard size for its grade. For example, 500 sheets of 23"x35" of 20-lb. bond paper weighs 20 lbs. Basis weight is not a measure of stock thickness.

Idea Corner: Open up while ordering

One of the tasks our customer service representative, Nathan, faces is listening closely to the way you place an order for an item that is being printed for the first time. You may be struggling with how to describe what you need, and so may explain it to Nathan by giving printing specifications - how many ink colors, the paper to use, the finished size, etc. While this may seem like a good starting point, in fact it may be cutting you off from other good options.

A Word From The Owner

Tips and Tricks for Purchasing Printing

A prudent buyer is one who stays within his budget while assuring that the product or service he is purchasing meets his needs. A prudent buyer uncovers hidden fees and makes apples-to-apples comparisons before committing to a purchase.